New Music Tuesday

Speak Now
Taylor Swift

Crazy Love Hollywood Edition
Michael Bublé

Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters
Ray Charles

The Essential
Dixie Chicks

RIP - Gregory Isaacs

"The Cool Ruler", Reggae sensation Gregory Isaacs died at the age of 59 at his London home this morning. Isaacs is best known for his super hit "Night Nurse", but I'll remember him for ballads like ‘Love is Overdue’ and ‘All I Have Is Love’.

At the beginning of this year, Isaacs' road manager Copeland Forbes said that Isaacs was, "in the UK doing some medical tests. As you all know, he had some problems with his legs from last year which resulted in cancellation of tours, and in the last 12 months he had a very hectic year traveling all over the globe doing performances".

Jamaica's Minister of Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange hailed Isaacs as one of the great pioneers of Jamaican pop music assisting in the crusade to globalize Reggae music.
“His career was not only about singing: he was a singer, a songwriter, music producer, promoter and recording executive. Few Jamaican artistes can match this versatility, and even fewer were able to succeed in so many areas of entertainment.






Gregory "Cool Ruler" Isaacs July 15, 1951 - October 25, 2010 R.I.P.

Music Monday - J.Ovanni

"I've got two damn words for ya, I'm Ready"

If you didn't know, understand that you have just been informed. If you had to infuse Craig David, Usher and a little Chris Brown, you'd probably end up with

 

J.Ovanni

 

Listening to J.Ovanni you're reminded that artists are meant to leave their heart on a track. I had "Criminal Love" on repeat for about an hour before I realized I was still listening to it and singing along. That's how clean the track is.

J.Ovanni sounds like he's comfortable with the music and that's what makes it playable. He's not trying to be someone, he's just out to show you who he is. And he's not stopping until the world knows his name and his sound!

Signed to independent label, 707 Entertainment Group the smooth tones of  J.Ovanni are a welcomed addition to the music industry that had for a moment seemed to throw aside talent for gimmicks. In this new class of entertainer, I give J.Ovanni an above average grade and expect to hear and see more from in in the near future. 

If you ask me, "He's Ready!"

Need more J.Ovanni 

Buy Criminal Love on iTunes 

J.Ovanni Official Site

Follow him on Twitter  @ovanni

J.Ovanni on YouTube

J.Ovanni on Myspace

SUPPORT MUSIC!

If you've got an artist that you'd like featured on Music Monday - Who's Next? Hit me up!

Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter

You know how we do...It's all about the music!

Kid Fury's Blog: 10 Hip-Hop Sayings That Must Die! (Burr!) | VIBE

 I read the following recently and I must say I wholeheartedly agree....

My question is Why are we allowing people we don't know to shape and mold our everyday vocabulary. I keep trying for the most part to figure out what they mean anyway. It's funny because these are generally the same people that actually promote their own sense of individuality. Yet their fans become a cloned mass.

10) ROGER DAT(Young Money: "Roger that! Fuck around and never get Roger back!") - Unless you are in the military or playing G.I. Joe, this term does not need to come out of your face...ever. It didn't sound cute when Tyga 'nem said it, so how do you think you sound?
9) BLING(Hot Boys: "Bling Bling, every time I come around yo' city.") - Really? Why are people still saying this?...

Continued at

Kid Fury's Blog: 10 Hip-Hop Sayings That Must Die! (Burr!) | VIBE

Artist Beware - Pushing Your Brand

From the moment you begin to think about a career as an artist, your mindset should always be "As a product what am I selling?" As an artist you need to figure out who you are and work that angle. Whether you're promoting yourself as a sex symbol, a thug, a goody goody, decide who you are and work on promoting that. Because the bottom line is, YOU ARE A PRODUCT!!


BE WHO YOU ARE - Fans can see through a ruse, and just as quickly as they "made" your career they will be sure to break your career. Fans are the best researchers on the planet when an artist is on their radar. You promote this thugged out lifestyle and they find out you got straight A's in school and were a model citizen. They will blast that EVERYWHERE! 

DON'T BE AFRAID - A lot of times you can't see what is right in front of you. So don't be afraid to ask someone else about your character and what about it that you can promote to your fan base. 

DON'T DO EVERYTHING - You know who you are, remain true to that! Why help advertise Whiskey if you don't even drink Champagne. Don't jump to endorse a product that you yourself wouldn't encourage friends and family to support. Aside from that, what you do at the beginning of your career could come to bite you back later! 

MARKETING VS TALENT - So you think you're more talented than Top Ten Platinum Record Rapper A? While this maybe true, he/she is still ahead in the game. You think you've got the talent, it's time to work on your marketing strategies.  

TALENT VS MARKETING - You want to go the route of letting you talent propel your career? Okay, then work on your craft hire the best you can with the resources you've got. Take a good at EVERY option available to you and utilize it. Vocal coaches/trainers, lessons, CD's DVD's, some acting lessons, EVERYTHING! And present yourself as the most TALENTED artist available.


YOU are your brand! And as much effort as any major brand puts into their product, you need to do the same! Get noticed, be accessible or at least appear to be accessible.

Finally, if you believe in you, you will always push your brand so the simple thing is "Believe in YOU!"

I SUPPORT MUSIC!

You know how we do...It's all about the music!
Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter

New Music Tuesday - New Releases

Shakira, 'Sale el Sol'
(bilingual album)
The songs are great to listen and dance to, but for those who don't speak Spanish if you're into lyrics its gonna be difficult!
Check Out - "Loca"

Ne-Yo, 'Libra Scale' 
This release for Neyo comes the day after his 31st birthday, I guess his birthday wish is another Billboard hit!
Check Out - "One in a Million"
PUSHED BACK - YET AGAIN!!! 
New Release date - November-ish

N.E.R.D, 'Nothing'
It's a mixture of ’70s R&B, dance, and funk. We even get to hear a generous sample of the vocal Pharrell (and yes that him on the cover)

Check Out - “Help Me”





Plain White T's, 'The Wonders of the Younger'
Front man Tom Higgenson describes the songs on the album as "sincere and melodic"
Check Out - "Last Breath"

Music Monday - Who's Got Next??

I listen to a lot of music over the course of my day. Some new, some old. Some of which I wish I'd never subjected myself to. This weekend I listen to music as usual, and I came across a very nice girl group (actually they found me). If you haven't already done so, meet

FORTUNE

Klisha, Lindsey, and Kharmony have brought the 90's girl power to the millennium. They say that that their style is an infusion of Urban, Pop and R&B, I simply think they ROCK!!

Here they are with their Cosmo Star Launch contribution. Making it to the top 3 and you can see why

When I say "I miss music", Fortune actually reminds me of what it is that I miss. I miss harmonies, I miss passion, I miss REAL singers. I think Fortune can help bring all of that back.

With group acts (both male and female), in such a rarity these ladies have what it takes to be the next platinum girl group. They did mention one of my favorite girl groups of all time as being an influence so maybe they are on the right track.

Need more good Fortune? Check out  Fortune on MySpace or Subscribe to their YouTube Channel Follow Fortune on Twitter

SUPPORT MUSIC!

If you've got an artist that you'd like featured on Music Monday - Who's Next? Hit me up! You know how we do...It's all about the music!
Ali Cole In Print or B.A.D. PR
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter